Reliable Level Measurement for Milk Powder Feeding Vessel in New Zealand
Industry: Food & Beverage / Dairy Processing
Application: Milk Powder Feeding Vessel
Location: New Zealand
Product: Supmea WSR550 Non-contact Radar Level Transmitter
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Project Overview
Reliable level measurement is essential for maintaining stable production and process control in dairy processing plants. However, powder applications can present measurement challenges, particularly under continuous mixing and fast feeding conditions.
At a dairy processing factory in New Zealand, the original VEGA guided wave radar level transmitter installed on a milk powder feeding vessel experienced frequent measurement failures and unstable readings during continuous production.
To address this issue, the customer selected the Supmea WSR550 non-contact radar level transmitter as a replacement.
Following on-site parameter optimization and commissioning, the WSR550 achieved stable operation and met the plant's production monitoring requirements.
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Application Challenges
The application involves a vertical powder feeding vessel with a maximum measuring depth of 1.143 m.
The measured medium is milk powder—a small-particle solid with a low dielectric constant (εr < 10). During operation, continuous mixing and fast feeding create a constantly changing powder surface, making stable level measurement more challenging.
In addition, the vessel operates under inert gas protection, while the level transmitter is required to provide a 4–20 mA analog signal to the factory PLC control system.
Site Working Conditions
| Item | Site Condition |
| Vessel Type | Vertical powder feeding vessel |
| Maximum Measuring Depth | 1.143 m |
| Medium | Milk powder |
| Material Characteristics | Small-particle solid |
| Dielectric Constant | εr < 10 |
| Process Condition | Continuous mixing & fast feeding |
| Material Surface | Dynamic powder surface |
| Internal Atmosphere | Inert gas protection |
| Output Requirement | 4–20 mA analog signal for factory PLC control system |
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Supmea Solution
For this application, the Supmea WSR550 Non-contact Radar Level Transmitter was installed to replace the original guided wave radar level transmitter.
The WSR550 operates based on 80GHz FMCW radar technology, providing non-contact level measurement.
The instrument was connected to a Supmea digital local display head, while a 4–20 mA signal was used for integration with the plant control system.
Instrument Configuration
| Parameter | Configuration |
| Product Model | Supmea WSR550 Non-contact Radar Level Transmitter |
| Measurement Principle | 80GHz FMCW radar, non-contact measurement |
| Signal Output | 4–20 mA |
| On-site Indicator | Supmea digital local display head |
| Application Type | Solid |
| Container Type | Mixing / Fast feeding |
| Medium | Small particle / Dielectric constant < 10 |
| Sensor Mode | Level measurement |
| Damping Filter | 5 s |
| Full Measuring Range | 0–1.143 m |
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On-site Commissioning
To adapt the radar transmitter to the actual operating conditions of the milk powder feeding vessel, parameter tuning and echo curve optimization were carried out on site.
The configuration was optimized according to the characteristics of the solid medium, the low dielectric constant, and the mixing and fast-feeding conditions.
After commissioning, the radar obtained stable and clear echo signals from the milk powder surface.
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Commissioning Results
After parameter tuning and echo curve optimization, the WSR550 delivered stable level measurement under the actual operating conditions.
The on-site results showed:
Stable and clear echo signals were obtained from the milk powder surface.
Level measurement data was consistent with the actual material height.
The 4–20 mA analog output remained stable and synchronized with level variation.
No signal loss or false readings occurred during mixing and fast feeding operations.
On-site Sample Reading：
Measured level: 0.3985 m
Output current: 13.108 mA
These results confirmed that the radar transmitter could provide stable level data under the site's dynamic powder feeding and mixing conditions.
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Customer Feedback
According to the customer's on-site feedback, the Supmea WSR550 completely solved the long-term measurement instability problem experienced with the original VEGA guided wave radar.
The WSR550 provides stable and repeatable level data under dynamic powder feeding and mixing conditions, meeting the site's process requirements and supporting the factory's automatic production control.
Customer Satisfaction: Very Satisfied
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Application Summary
The application demonstrates the performance of the Supmea WSR550 80GHz non-contact radar level transmitter in a milk powder feeding vessel with continuous mixing and fast feeding.
Through on-site parameter tuning and echo curve optimization, the WSR550 achieved stable measurement of milk powder with a dielectric constant below 10, while maintaining reliable 4–20 mA output for the factory PLC control system.
The solution successfully replaced the original guided wave radar transmitter and provided the stable and repeatable level measurement required by the dairy processing plant.
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Looking for a Reliable Level Measurement Solution?
Supmea provides radar level measurement solutions for industrial liquid and solid applications.
If you are experiencing unstable level readings in powder feeding, mixing, or storage applications, contact our team to discuss your operating conditions and measurement requirements.
